Poor mobile phone cover could end in disaster, warns a Snowy region council

Bombala council argues around 60 per cent of region is a black spot which could have disastrous consequences

Julian Smith: AAP

The Bombala Council, in south-eastern New South Wales, claims lack of mobile phone coverage is 'third world' and it may lead to 'disastrous consequences'.

This is the council's claim in its submission to the Federal Government's examination of mobile phone coverage.

The council, which covers parts of the Snowy region, estimates that 60 per cent of the region's area is a mobile phone black spot.

It states the only reliable coverage in the region, which has 3,000 ratepayers, is in the two main towns of Bombala and Delegate.

"For fires and natural disasters we're in a pretty serious position for not having better coverage," explained Bombala mayor Bob Stewart.

Citing last February's fires in north-eastern Victoria, in an area adjacent to the council's region, landlines had been cut and mobile coverage was virtually non-existent.

While welcoming advanced technology, the council paper warns that the increased reliance on alerting people through text messages was 'a waste of time'.

"A major concern with that is how they will go with technology. I support the use of technology, but it is no good if you haven't got the service," said Mr Stewart.

"I've argued with Telstra and the mobile phone service that the new mobile phones are great, and we would like to have them, but it is no good having all the data on them if you can't get coverage."

The council is vying for a share of the $100 million the Federal Government is putting up to try and fix blackspots.

Mr Stewart and his fellow councillors also argue that the economic development of the region is being held back due to lack of mobile phone accessibility.

He says people contemplating a change and moving to the region are deterred, as many cannot conduct their business as they depend on reliable internet and mobile cover.

"We've got to have the technology in these areas equal to regional centres or we're not competitive. Really, it's third world country service that we are being delivered in these areas and I don't think we deserve that."